Rural Health

As a District Health Board, we look after a diverse population spread across a large geographic area. Getting health care services to the people of our community is an important priority for us. For this reason we provide clinic services, transport assistance and telemedicine to more rural and remote areas.

Telehealth - The Video Doctor service

If you live in a rural area within the Bay of Plenty catchment area, for example on Matakana Island, in Opotiki and surrounding areas, or Te Kaha and the East Cape you may be able to gain access to a doctor, or hospital level medical advice through telehealth. Telehealth is where a patient videochats with a doctor in another location. You can see an example of a consultation using telehealth below. This is a patient view of the video doctor service at Te Awanui Haurora, Matakana Island. This service has been running since 2013.